Sanur, 23 May 2023: ERIA's Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (the Centre) took part in the 24th meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Coastal and Marine Environment (AWGCME), held in Sanur, Bali, Indonesia. The meeting provided updates on marine debris-related work, coordinated regional activities, and explored synergy for the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Action Plan on Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Member States (2021–2025), and the International Negotiation Committee (INC) process for a global plastic treaty.
‘Many people in Asia depend on [the] coastal and marine ecosystem to sustain their livelihood. It is important to have mutual understanding among ASEAN Member States and respective partners to coordinate general activities related to [the] coastal and marine environment,' said Mr Dasrul Chaniago, Director of Pollution Control and Damage to Coast and Sea at Indonesia's Ministry of Environment and Forestry, representing the host country.
Mr Michikazu Kojima, ERIA Senior Advisor, provided updates on the Centre’s activities, saying it is developing regional indicators in the research area to assess the impact of marine litter on the ecosystem. This will emphasise a biota survey in the ASEAN region, which requires stakeholder cooperation.
‘At the moment, there [are] no harmonised monitoring survey methods for marine biota in ASEAN. This is an important issue, and collaborative work is highly needed,' he said.
The Centre, as a knowledge hub, will continue to strengthen its efforts to collect and disseminate the latest regulatory advancements made by each ASEAN+3 country, and identify and share good practices, as well as scientific knowledge related to the region's management of plastic waste and marine plastics.
Marine plastic knowledge hubs are also being established in the region by meeting attendees the World Bank, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the World Coastal Forum. The ASEAN Secretariat suggested the relevant parties collaborate with each other to avoid duplication and seek maximum efficiency in the process.
The blue economy received special attention during the meeting, and the ASEAN Secretariat called on ASEAN countries to commit to a sustainable blue economy and deepen international discussions, and compel ASEAN Member States (AMS) and dialogue partners to take concrete action.
Communication Desk
Sanur, 23 May 2023: ERIA's Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (the Centre) took part in the 24th meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Coastal and Marine Environment (AWGCME), held in Sanur, Bali, Indonesia. The meeting provided updates on marine debris-related work, coordinated regional activities, and explored synergy for the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Action Plan on Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Member States (2021–2025), and the International Negotiation Committee (INC) process for a global plastic treaty.
‘Many people in Asia depend on [the] coastal and marine ecosystem to sustain their livelihood. It is important to have mutual understanding among ASEAN Member States and respective partners to coordinate general activities related to [the] coastal and marine environment,' said Mr Dasrul Chaniago, Director of Pollution Control and Damage to Coast and Sea at Indonesia's Ministry of Environment and Forestry, representing the host country.
Mr Michikazu Kojima, ERIA Senior Advisor, provided updates on the Centre’s activities, saying it is developing regional indicators in the research area to assess the impact of marine litter on the ecosystem. This will emphasise a biota survey in the ASEAN region, which requires stakeholder cooperation.
‘At the moment, there [are] no harmonised monitoring survey methods for marine biota in ASEAN. This is an important issue, and collaborative work is highly needed,' he said.
The Centre, as a knowledge hub, will continue to strengthen its efforts to collect and disseminate the latest regulatory advancements made by each ASEAN+3 country, and identify and share good practices, as well as scientific knowledge related to the region's management of plastic waste and marine plastics.
Marine plastic knowledge hubs are also being established in the region by meeting attendees the World Bank, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the World Coastal Forum. The ASEAN Secretariat suggested the relevant parties collaborate with each other to avoid duplication and seek maximum efficiency in the process.
The blue economy received special attention during the meeting, and the ASEAN Secretariat called on ASEAN countries to commit to a sustainable blue economy and deepen international discussions, and compel ASEAN Member States (AMS) and dialogue partners to take concrete action.
Communication Desk
